Charlotte Bronte's Psyche
A Close Reading of Jane Eyre
Published on 20. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
220 pages
978-1-0684674-2-4 (ISBN)
Description
Did Charlotte Bronte transform the ancient tale of 'Cupid and Psyche' into one of literature's most enduring novels?
In this compelling study, Elizabeth Imlay argues that 'Jane Eyre' is a bold reworking of fairy-tales dating back to the tragic myth, recast through the consciousness of a 19th-century woman seeking passionate love. By tracing Jane's symbolic journey through earth, air, fire, and water-body, spirit, passion, and reason-Imlay reveals how Bronte reshapes the story through a feminist lens, redefining love as a unity of the spiritual and the physical, making 'air' a female element.
In this compelling study, Elizabeth Imlay argues that 'Jane Eyre' is a bold reworking of fairy-tales dating back to the tragic myth, recast through the consciousness of a 19th-century woman seeking passionate love. By tracing Jane's symbolic journey through earth, air, fire, and water-body, spirit, passion, and reason-Imlay reveals how Bronte reshapes the story through a feminist lens, redefining love as a unity of the spiritual and the physical, making 'air' a female element.
Reviews / Votes
"This analytical book was really enlightening as well as compelling; being jam-packed with interesting and well-researched points. It allowed me to more deeply understand the inner workings of Bronte's thoughts and personality as provides extracts from her personal letters and works she wrote in her childhood as young as 16. Overall, I would definitely recommend anyone who enjoyed 'Jane Eyre' as it helps illustrate how Bronte was influenced by her own experiences and reading and how this impacted upon her own writing. Also, if you study Charlotte Bronte at any point (like myself) it would be a real use for essays etc." **** -goodreads reviewer"This is the most intriguing, thought-provoking & surprising book I've ever read. It is helpful for the reader to have previous knowledge of the cultural background used by Elizabeth Imlay in constructing her argument. If you don't have this, take time to read up on it (using the book's bibliography.)All who are interested in how Bronte's own reading, cultural milieu & personal experience worked with her intellect and creative imagination to produce the great classic 'Jane Eyre', will find this study rewarding. Fresh insight, indeed, and highly original scholarship." **** - goodreads reviewer
"The passion the author has for this topic came through strongly. I did feel a bit lost myself as it's been quite a while since I've read Jane Eyre. However it was incredibly interesting regardless and I found myself increasingly interested!" ***** Netgalley reviewer
"The passion and love the Elizabeth Imlay has for this novel is obvious, with her in depth research and analysis a huge undertaking. I appreciate the connections made between the spiritual and physical, and although we may never know the true meaning of Jane Eyre as intended by Charlotte Bronte, one thing we do know, is that there must be a deeper reason why the story continues to live on. If Elizabeth Imlay's theory is true, then Jane Eyre represents the quintessence of spirit- the philosopher's stone of immortality." - Netgalley reviewer
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Aurora Metro Publications
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 130 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
372 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0684674-2-4 (9781068467424)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Elizabeth Imlay, MA Oxon, was born into a Freethinking family,
her father being a classical scholar and her mother a linguist. She was
educated at a school for the daughters of Evangelical missionaries, where she
obtained a thorough grounding in the Bible, French and Latin. She read English
Language and Literature at Oxford, which at that time demanded a knowledge of
French, Latin, Anglo-Saxon and Middle and Modern English. She has worked in
publishing and journalism and is now a widow with two grown-up children.
her father being a classical scholar and her mother a linguist. She was
educated at a school for the daughters of Evangelical missionaries, where she
obtained a thorough grounding in the Bible, French and Latin. She read English
Language and Literature at Oxford, which at that time demanded a knowledge of
French, Latin, Anglo-Saxon and Middle and Modern English. She has worked in
publishing and journalism and is now a widow with two grown-up children.